HANGING BY OUR SEATBELTS

Sheffield Village – A short ride home from the video store turned into quite a ride Saturday afternoon for Tom Melbar and Paul Noble after the truck they were riding in was struck by an oncoming motorist, sending them rolling over on Colorado Ave.

Melbar said he was traveling eastbound on Colorado when he saw a westbound car weaving in and out of traffic. “He ran off the road and once he recovered he just shot across the road and hit the back of my truck rolling us over.”

Sheffield Village Firefighters responded to the scene and although damage was heavy to both vehicles, none of the occupants were injured.

Sheffield Village Police had traffic stopped in both directions while they investigated the scene and to allow the Tow Service to upright Melbar’s truck and clean up the large debris field.

Melbar said that being inside of a vehicle while it’s rolling over was an experience he will not soon forget. “It all happened so quick, I don’t know that you really notice it. We didn’t really roll over, we were actually turned onto the roof then we slide about a hundred feet. It was very quiet at the end of it. You’re hanging from your seatbelts and talking to each other, which is good. Once I made sure Paul was ok, I noticed we still had power so told him to check the window to see if it would roll down, I couldn’t get out of my window because of the ditch, and it did so I said brace yourself and unlock your seatbelt. Luckily they unlocked and we fell to the roof and crawled out of the truck.”

Melbar, a Handy Man / Construction worker, said he learned a lesson from this crash. “One of the things I was surprised about was that none of my tools that I have in the truck hurt us after we were hit. The back seat area is loaded with tools and I think after this incident I will be getting a trailer to haul the tools and get them out of my truck.”

Firefighters, Police Officers and bystanders assisted Melbar in searching for and retrieving the tools that had been thrown from his truck.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

ALL IN

Elyria – Gamblers packed the American Legion Hall in Elyria Saturday afternoon to support the Legion Baseball Team and to take a shot at winning $4,000.00.

The American Legion Post 12 Baseball Team held their first No-Limit Texas Hold Em game Saturday afternoon in an effort to raise much needed money for the upcoming season. Team Coach Brad Chenoweth said Saturday’s event was a complete success. “This by far has been our best fund raising event and is certainly needed especially with gas prices going up this summer we will need it for all the traveling we have coming up this summer.”

Over one hundred players participated in the tournament while others played cash games on the side. After 7 hours two players went heads up with Michael Garrett of Elyria beating Scott Bayer of Medina. Bayer went all in with a pair of Deuces against Garrett’s A – 9 suited. Garrett hit trip 9’s on the River, giving him a Full House – Jacks over 9’s.

Chenoweth said that the event could not have happened without the help of the volunteer’s and wanted to thank every one of them. “We had some great dealers, all volunteered their time and a great group of people in the kitchen cooking up the burgers and fries. The players all had a great time, even if they busted out early, and said they are ready to come back in play in our next tournament.”

The Legion Baseball Team will be hosting their next tournament in September; Chenoweth said he would let us know the dates, as we get closer. We will keep you posted.

Editors note: Yours truly busted out early when I went all in with an Ace high flush and was beaten by a Full House. Even though I promised to flip a table over if I was busted out early, I didn’t. I simply stood up, congratulated my opponent, gathered his name and home address and quietly walked away. “Nice hand sir!”

FLOOD WARNING ISSUED

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a FLOOD WARNING for the Black River at Elyria until late Thursday night.

Flood stage begins at 9.5 feet for the Black River at Elyria, at 10 A.M. Friday morning the river was at 10.8 feet and rising. The River is expected to rise above flood stage today and crest around 11.5 and 12 feet this afternoon.

Flooding begins in low-lying areas near the river in Elyria at 11.5 feet. Flooding begins south of Elyria in Carlisle Township at 9.5 feet.

A LITTLE MORE SNOW

The National Weather Service in Cleveland is calling for a few more inches of snow for the area by Friday morning.

A storm system will affect the area today and tonight. Rain associated with this system will change to snow after sunset. A few inches of snow accumulation are possible by daybreak.

The Next 24
Tonight: Periods of rain before midnight, then periods of snow. Low around 31. North wind between 11 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday: Snow likely before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow between 8am and 1pm, then a chance of rain after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 37. North wind between 11 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind between 7 and 10 mph.

LORAIN COUNTY MAKES TOP 10

Columbus – It might not be as prestigious as Letterman’s Top Ten List but Lorain County made it into the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Top Ten “Areas Where Troopers Are Interdicting Criminal Activity.” That’s right, with 88 counties in the State of Ohio, Lorain County came in number 6.

As part of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s 24/7 Initiative, the Patrol released the Top 10 areas where troopers are assisting local law enforcement in reducing criminal activity. The goal of the 24/7 Initiative is for state troopers on every shift, every day, to efficiently reduce fatal and serious crashes through high visibility enforcement, while removing the criminal element from Ohio’s roadways.

The Top 10 Criminal Arrest Counties in January and February 2008 include:
1. Franklin 186
2. Scioto 116
3. Butler 111
4. Stark 82
5. Montgomery 78
6. Lorain 76
7. Richland 76
8. Clermont 69
9. Lawrence 67
10. Guernsey 64

Theses numbers total the arrests by Troopers for the following offenses: Felony Arrests & Warrants, Misdemeanor Warrants & Summons, Stolen Vehicles, Drugs and Weapons.

Statewide, in the first two months of this year, troopers have made 809 drug arrests, 351 felony arrests, recovered 124 stolen vehicles and removed 43 illegal firearms from our roadways.

“Our troopers’ primary goal is to make Ohio roadways safe for motorists. We urge our troopers to look beyond the license plate or initial stop and recognize indicators of criminal activity,” Colonel Richard H. Collins, Patrol superintendent said. “Every time a trooper makes a criminal arrest they are helping to take drugs, weapons and felons out of our communities.”

Here is the break down for Lorain County: Felony Arrests & Warrants 7, Misdemeanor Warrants & Summons 43, Stolen Vehicles 2, Drugs 24, Weapons 0. Topping the list at 186 is Franklin County with 33 Felony Arrests & Warrants, 89 Misdemeanor Warrants & Summons, 4 Stolen Vehicles, 40 Drugs and 2 Weapons.

CRUMBLING CONCRETE ON BRIDGE

ONLY COSMETIC – STRUCTURALLY SOUND

Elyria – Motorists driving along North Abbe Road under the Ohio Turnpike bridge today grew concerned about falling cement from the bridge and called the Police.

Officers blocked a portion of the southbound curb lane while officials from the City of Elyria and the Ohio Turnpike inspected the structure. After about an hour Officials were satisfied that the bridge was structurally sound and reopened the lane to traffic.

Lauren Hakos, Manager of Public Affairs and Marketing for the Ohio Turnpike told TMC NEWS that after the inspection it was determined that the pillar has some cosmetic issues that need to be dealt with. “The pillar had some concrete failure, but no structural damage and it will be patched when the weather conditions improve.”


To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

DOJ CLEARS XM-SIRIUS MERGER

Washington – The Department of Justice Antitrust Division decided to close its investigation into the merger between XM Satellite and Sirius Satellite Radio stating, “Evidence does not establish that combination of Satellite Radio providers would substantially reduce competition.”

The statement issued by the DOJ went on to say; “After a careful and thorough review of the proposed transaction, the Division concluded that the evidence does not demonstrate that the proposed merger of XM and Sirius is likely to substantially lessen competition, and that the transaction therefore is not likely to harm consumers. The Division reached this conclusion because the evidence did not show that the merger would enable the parties to profitably increase prices to satellite radio customers for several reasons, including: a lack of competition between the parties in important segments even without the merger; the competitive alternative services available to consumers; technological change that is expected to make those alternatives increasingly attractive over time; and efficiencies likely to flow from the transaction that could benefit consumers.”


To read the full Department of Justice Statement: CLICK HERE

4000

The United States Department of Defense has reported that four United States Soldiers died Sunday while patrolling a southern Baghdad neighborhood.

A fifth Soldier was wounded in the attack that occurred about 10PM (3PM ET) when an Improvised Explosive Device hit the Soldiers vehicle.

The death of the four Soldiers brings the overall American death toll to 4,000 since the war began 5 years ago.

WEST RIVER ROAD FLOODS

AFTER LORAIN MAN SLAMS HYDRANT

Elyria – Residents on West River Road North have been able to get through the last couple weeks of heavy rain and snow with no water damage to their homes. Then comes the man from Lorain who says he didn’t know you couldn’t turn left out of the Circuit City Parking lot onto West River.

Carl Sloan was driving northbound on West River when he saw the man pull out of the parking lot. “We were just crossing the Turnpike bridge when we saw him – He made this really wide turn and at a high rate of speed too. I think he just wasn’t able to control the car and he drove right into the fire plug.”

Sloan said that unlike in the movies where water shoots 50 feet into the air after someone clips a fireplug, the water was just bubbling up a couple feet.
Even though the water was not shooting high into the air, hundreds of gallons of water was rushing out of the broken hydrant each minute. Most of the water was flooding the roadway while a stream was flowing between the two yards near the hydrant. One resident we spoke to said her basement was taking on water. The extent of water or damage was not known.

These two guys didn’t let a little car crash or minor flooding interrupt their basketball game. Not sure who won.

Elyria Police Officers had to close the curb lanes due to the high water and direct traffic through the center lanes of West River. Officers had to be alert to cars driving too fast through the scene as well as getting splashed by the cars.

An employee from the City Water Department was able to find the shut off and bring the flooding to an end.

Officers cited the driver, who was in no mood to speak to the media, at the scene. The area where the fireplug was struck was barricaded and the street was cleaned up and completely reopened by 10 PM.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

SUSPECT TAKES OWN LIFE

Ohio State Highway Patrol Investigators were on the scene of an incident Saturday where a suspect in a stolen vehicle took his own life after fleeing from troopers on the Ohio Turnpike.

On Saturday at approximately 1:27 p.m. the Patrol received information from the Automatic Plate Recognition (APR) system near milepost 3 on the Ohio Turnpike, indicating it had recognized the license plate of a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix that had been reported stolen in Wisconsin last week.

Troopers on the Turnpike spotted the stolen vehicle near milepost 34 in Fulton County and attempted to make a traffic stop. The suspect fled east on the turnpike and exited southbound State Route 109, crashing through the tollgate.

The suspect continued to US Route 2, where he made a U-turn onto northbound State Route 109 where he was stop-sticked by a trooper. The suspect, having one tire deflated, slowed his vehicle to a stop. When troopers approached his vehicle the suspect was already deceased, having taken his own life from an apparent knife wound.

Findlay District Investigators and the Fulton County Coroner investigated the scene.

Investigators are trying to identify the suspect and more information will be released once next of kin notification has been made.

GET OFF THE ROOF

Eaton Township – You’re sitting at home on a cold winter night enjoying a nice fire in your fireplace. Smoke starts backing up into your home. What should you do?

Most of us would call the Fire Department and evacuate the house until help arrived.

In the case of an Eaton Township man Saturday night he opted to climb out onto his snow covered roof with tennis shoes on, for extra traction probably, in an attempt to remove the cap from his chimney.

Eaton Township Firefighters were called to his Avon Belden Road home and found the man sitting on the roof near the chimney. Before Firefighters were able to deal with the fire in the chimney they had to first assist the man down off the roof.

Once the man was safely on the ground Firefighters extinguished the fire that had started in the clogged up chimney.

Grafton Village Firefighters provided mutual aid assistance to Eaton Township. There were no injuries reported.

If your home has a fireplace: CLICK HERE

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

SHUFFLE UP AND DEAL

The American Legion Post 12 baseball team presents a NO-LIMIT TEXAS HOLD ‘EM TOURNAMENT.

The tournament will be held Saturday March 29th at the American Legion Hall located at 393 Ohio Street in Elyria. Doors open at noon with Limit and No Limit Cash Games. The main tournament will start at 4 P.M. SHARP.

There will also be a SILENT AUCTION and BAKE SALE during the tournament.

Entry fee is $75.00 with conditional $40.00 re-buys with one add on.

A minimum of the top 10% will be paid. Estimated First Place Prize is $7,500.00

Receive an additional 1,000 starting chips by pre-registering. You do not have to pre pay to get the bonus chips, just pre-register.

To pre-register call Kim at 440.346.4684 or Brad at 440.322.3524

Food and beverages will be available throughout the tournament. The American Legion Post 12 Baseball Team is a qualified 501c3 charity.

UGH, GET THE SHOVELS BACK OUT

Just when you thought it was safe to put the shovels away, the National Weather Service in Cleveland has us under a WINTER STORM WATCH beginning Friday afternoon and running through late Friday night.

Snow, mixed with a little rain early, will enter our area by Friday afternoon and will continue throughout the evening. An expected 3 to 7 inches are expected by Saturday morning.

A Winter Storm Watch means that heavy snow is possible. Stay tuned for further updates.

The Flood Warning remains in effect for the Black River at Elyria until Friday afternoon.

The Next 48
Friday: Snow likely, mainly after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. North wind 6 to 8 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday Night: Periods of snow, mainly before 3am. Low around 24. East wind between 10 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday: A chance of snow, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 37. North wind between 11 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of snow showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
****

UPDATE: Noon
The National Weather Service in Cleveland has down graded the Winter Storm Watch to a Snow Advisory. Now don’t go putting the shovels away, we are still expected to get between 3 and 6 inches of snow during this weather event.

The Advisory remains in effect from 4 P.M. this afternoon to 6 A.M. Saturday morning.

A Snow Advisory is issued when 4 to 6 inches of snow is expected within 12 hours. No severe winter weather is expected.
****

UPDATE: 9PM
The National Weather Service has bumped up the Snow Advisory to a HEAVY SNOW WARNING which is in effect until 9 A.M. Saturday morning. The heaviest snow will fall north of the Ohio Turnpike between Toledo and Cleveland. Snow totals in this area will average 4 to 8 inches.

Overnight temps will drop between 25 and 30 with northeast winds picking up to 15 to 20 MPH by daybreak.

FLOOD WARNING ISSUED

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a FLOOD WARNING for the Black River at Elyria until late Thursday night.

Flood stage begins at 9.5 feet for the Black River at Elyria, at 6 A.M. Wednesday morning and rising. The River is expected to rise above flood stage today and crest around 12.5 and 13 feet around midnight tonight.

Flooding begins in low-lying areas near the river in Elyria at 11.5 feet. Flooding begins south of Elyria in Carlisle Township at 9.5 feet.

CAR GOES OFF ROAD – SLAMS POLE

ONE DEAD – ONE FLOWN TO CLEVELAND

PHOTO PAGE

South Amherst – A single car crash in South Amherst early Tuesday morning has left one man dead and another in serious condition.

Lieutenant Glenn Peterson of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said the two men were traveling westbound on Russia Road just before the crash. “The car went through the stop sign at Russia and Baumhart, it’s a three way intersection, and continued straight across Baumhart and into the yard taking out trees and other items before striking the utility pole.”

Jim Criss lives in the house next to where the crash occurred, he said the noise of the crash woke him up. “It sounded like thunder, that was my first thought. They have been saying we should be getting storms so I figured that it was just thunder so I laid back down and was going to go back to sleep. Then after a couple minutes I didn’t hear anything else so I thought I should go check it out.” Criss went to his side door and looked out over his driveway, the two porch lights on the side of his house were not bright enough to shine on the mangled car, but he could clearly see the tail lights blinking.

“When I saw the red lights blinking then I could see a little better what had happned so I called 9-1-1 right away cause I figured since nobody had come to the door they must still be inside the car and hurt pretty bad.”

Criss said that a Trooper arrived quickly and that is when he first stepped outside of his door. “I wanted to wait until someone else showed up, partly because I didn’t know what I would do but also I didn’t really want to see what was in there. I stepped out onto the driveway and the one fella who was thrown from the car was still conscious, you could hear him moaning and saying help me and the Trooper kept telling him to lay still and that help was on the way.”

The victim that was ejected from the car was found lying about 30 feet from the car in the snow. Paramedics from LifeCare Ambulance pronounced him dead at the scene.

The second victim had to be cut out of the car by Firefighters from the South Amherst Fire Department. Once he was out Paramedics treated and transported him to Community Health Partners where he was later flown to Cleveland.

Criss said that he has lived in that home for almost 28 years and although he has seen his share of crashes, most have been cars pulling off of Russia and into traffic on Baumhart. Seeing a car come off the road and ending up in his side yard baffles him. “It’s gotta be bad when you are coming straight on Russia and you have two big stop signs and this big arrow sign right on the other side of the road – and you still fly into my yard and end up with these results. It’s very sad.”

Troopers are investigating the crash but believe that alcohol did play a part in the crash.

UPDATE: The names of the victims have been released by the State Patrol. Jerry Agee, 29 of Elyria, was the passenger who was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene by Paramedics.

Jerry Hartman, 28 of Lorain, was the driver of the 1995 Skylark. Hartman was trapped inside of the car and had to be cut out by Firefighters. Hartman was treated and released from MetroHealth Medical Center.

Although Troopers “believe” that alcohol was a factor in the crash that has not yet been confirmed.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

UNPACK THE UMBRELLAS

FORECAST: UP TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN COMING

The National Weather Service in Cleveland briefed County Officials throughout Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania today of heavy rain heading our way.

The conference call took place at 2 P.M. today and Forecasters at the National Weather Service say we should expect heavy rainfall Tuesday morning and again Tuesday afternoon. “We expect the rain to begin in the area tonight and possibly become heavy in the morning. There is a chance for Thunder Storms activity late tonight and into tomorrow morning. Thunder Storm activity will be off and on again tomorrow and into tomorrow night.”

We should expect whatever snow is left on the ground to disappear over the next couple of days because of the rain that is heading into town. The water from the snow combined with the storms that will be in the area is expected to cause potential flood problems for our area. During the day tomorrow Forecasters should better be able to predict the amount of rain and the potential for flooding. The National Weather Service has already placed us under a FLOOD WATCH beginning at 2 A.M. Tuesday through Wednesday afternoon.

“For this time of the year, this is about as wet as we have ever recorded.” Officials said we will continue to be saturated until “things start growing this spring.”

THE NEXT 48 HOURS
Tonight: Periods of showers, mainly after midnight. Low around 36. East wind between 9 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday: Periods of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8am. High near 48. South wind between 17 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Periods of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 42. South wind between 11 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between one and two inches possible.

Wednesday: Periods of rain showers, mixing with snow after noon. High near 43. North wind between 9 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 28. Breezy, with a north wind between 15 and 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

Sláinté

An Irish Toast Meaning - "Good Health"

FIREFIGHTERS RECOVER BODY

NEAR THE FORD IN CASCADE PARK

Elyria – Members of the Elyria Fire Department Dive Team, along with members of the Wellington Fire Department Dive Team, recovered the body of the man who ran from Police Saturday night and ended up going into the Black River.

Lieutenant Rick Thrasher of the Elyria Fire Department said the Dive Teams began operations inside of Cascade Park early Sunday morning. “We began this morning where we left off last night, based on the eye witness information of where the victim entered the water that is where we began the search. With the water being lower this morning we had hoped we would find him in that same area.”

The operation consisted of three boats and 10 Divers. Divers were just preparing to go back in the water around 12:30 P.M. when they were alerted that someone walking through Ely Wood Park near the Ford had found what they believed was the body of the man. Elyria Police Officers and Firefighters went to investigate and found the man along the Black River, just north of the Ford on the east bank.
The Divers, under the direction of Lt. Thrasher, approached the victim with the three boats. With the waters still running fast and although the water had fallen from over 11 feet last night, when the man went in the water, down to 9 feet Sunday afternoon, Firefighters were taking no chances during the recovery. One boat was sent down stream for additional protection if something had gone wrong. Lt. Thrasher said the operation went well and the Divers, both last night and today, all did a great job.

Lt. Thrasher said that with the waters being as cold as they are, the victim didn’t stand a chance after hitting the water late last night. “He wouldn’t have been able to survive long at all. Most people when they hit water this cold they gasp and they start taking in water right away, so often times it is very fast. The more you expose your body to the cold temperatures, the quicker your blood shunts to the core of your body and your arms and legs don’t seem to work as well as they normally would with the bood in them. If you’re gasping for air and you are taking water in, it won’t be long before you are in the same situation as this guy."

LifeCare Ambulance transported the man to Elyria Memorial Hospital where the Cornors Office will examin the body for a cause of death. The Elyria Police are still investigating.

Update 6PM:The Lorain County Coroner’s Office has released the name of the victim as 26 year old Leonard Bryant of Elyria.

Bryant is no stranger to the law, according to court documents Bryant has been in and out of local courts for numerous Domestic Violence charges, Assault on Police Officers, Fleeing from Police, Drug charges and multiple traffic violations including Driving Under the Influence. A warrant was issued for Bryant’s arrest through the Elyria Municipal Court on Aggravated Burglary and Domestic Violence charges. Neighbors believe it was the warrant that made Bryant run from Officers Saturday night.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

MAN RUNS FROM POLICE

ENDS UP IN THE BLACK RIVER

Elyria – A search is underway for a man who ran from the Police Saturday night and ended up in the Black River.

Elyria Police were called to a Forest Street home Saturday night for a disturbance, when they arrived a man took off running from the residence. Police gave chase through the neighborhood and down into a wooded area. During the chase Officers witnessed the man go into the Black River but did not see him exit. The Elyria Fire Department and LifeCare Paramedics were called to the scene. Firefighters began an immediate search of the shoreline looking for the male but could not locate him.

Although the search continues at this hour it is downsized to just members of the Elyria Fire Department Dive Team doing a search of the shoreline inside of Cascade Park.

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has extended a flood warning for the Black River. Flood stage for the Black River is 9.5 Feet – At 10:00 P.M. the Black River was at 11.3 Feet and is not expected to fall to below flood stage until late Sunday afternoon.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

"I will kill you, you wanna die?"

Amherst – "I will kill you, you wanna die?" Those are the words Amherst Police Officers heard coming from inside an Amherst home Friday night after responding to a 9-1-1 hang up call.

Lt. Joseph Kucirek of the Amherst Police Department said the Officers were dispatched at 9:29 P.M. to a home on Washington Ave in Amherst after 9-1-1 had received a hang up call from the residence and Police Dispatchers were unable to get someone to answer the phone upon call backs. “Upon arrival, officers initiated an investigation into the incident. One officer observed lights on in the back of the house. While investigating, officers were able to hear a male inside the house yelling, "I will kill you, you wanna die?" One officer then observed through the kitchen window, a large framed male lift a metal object up into the air and forcefully slam it down. Officers could also hear another male voice say, "Please don't kill me".

Lt. Kucirek said that initial attempts by Officers to forcibly gain entry to the home were unsuccessful. Eventually the suspect left the kitchen area and went to the front door of the home where one Officer was located. The suspect opened the door, grabbed the Officer and a “long and violent struggle ensued.”

The Officer fought the male off and took him to the ground where he was handcuffed and arrested.

Once the suspect was secured and additional Officers arrived on scene, a search of the home for additional suspects or victims began by Officers. A male victim was located inside the den area of the home where he was still on the phone with 9-1-1.

LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics treated and transported the victim to Community Health Partners and was later taken to another hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

Lt. Joseph Kucirek said it was learned during the course of the investigation that the suspect had forced entry to the residence by way of a rear sliding glass door. Once the victim returned home the suspect attacked him causing him “serious physical harm.”

The male suspect has been identified as Mr. Kent A. Shroyer (age 40) of Amherst. Shroyer was arrested and charged with Attempted Aggravated Murder, Aggravated Burglary, Felonious Assault, Assault of a Police Officer, Disrupting Public Service, and Resisting Arrest.

Shroyer is being held without bond at the Lorain County Jail and is scheduled to appear in Oberlin Municipal Court on Tuesday March 16, 2008 at 0830 hours.

The Amherst detective bureau responded to the location and processed the scene.

In what might be a related incident, Amherst Police were called to a North Main Street home at 11:51 P.M. after the homeowner there returned home and found that his house had been burglarized. The homeowner told Officers that they left the house several hours earlier and upon their arrival back home, the noticed someone made entry into their home by breaking out the glass of an exterior door. Officers searched the home for any suspects but found the house empty.

The suspect(s) did removed items from the home and Amherst Police found numerous amounts of evidence that has been processed by the Detective Bureau.

The Amherst Police Detective Bureau continues to investigate both cases.

Booking Photo Courtesy: Lorain County Sheriff’s Department

WEEKEND “GRUB” REMINDER

Just a reminder that this weekend Eaton Township Fire Department is presenting their “All you can eat” Spaghetti Dinner on Saturday from 5:30 to 7:00 P.M at their station on Route 82.

Then after filling yourself with plates of spaghetti get home and rest up for two, “All you can eat” Pancake Breakfast deals.

The first one is just down Route 82 a bit at the Columbia Township Fire Department. The feast there begins bright and early at 8:00 AM and runs till 1:00 PM – also being held in their station located at 25540 Royalton Road.

For those of you a little more up north the Sheffield Township Fire Department Blazettes will be presenting their Benefit Pancake Breakfast at their Fire Station #2 located at 5166 Clinton Ave in Lorain. Tickets are $4.00 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 6-12 with 5 and under grubbing for free. Fore more information call 440.233.5734.

The Balzettes will use the money to assist the 7 families that were burned out of their apartments on February 27th losing all of their belongings. Of the 7 families there are 10 adults, one being pregnant and 4 children.

Can’t beat the deals and of course all the money goes to great organizations.

If you are a Gold Card member and have a special event or fundraiser coming up and would like to see it on TMCNEWS.NET just email us the information at tmcnews1@aol.com - We’ll do our best to post it for you.

MAN FOUND STABBED IN LORAIN

Lorain – Lorain Police are investigating a stabbing that occurred on East 30th Street in Lorain Thursday afternoon.

Police and Paramedics found a man, believed to be in his 30’s, with multiple stab wounds in an upstairs apartment at 1888 E. 30th Street. Neighbors say that they saw a lot of blood as LifeCare Paramedics brought they man they know as, Deaf Eric, out of the home.

Dominic Fracchione has known the victim since he was a little kid running around the neighborhood. “Eric is the kind of guy who pretty much just keeps to himself really. Every now and then he would go out and party a little and get loud but nothing violent or bad.” Fracchione said that nobody in the neighborhood knows what happened to Eric at this point but he says he feels sorry for him. “I would hate to find out that someone did this to him, I mean either way it is horrible but Eric never did anything bad to anyone around here.”

The Lorain Police Department is investigating the incident.

WOMAN AND SON INVOLVED IN CRASH

Elyria – An early morning crash in Elyria sends a woman and her 4 year old son to the Emergency Room.

The woman was driving eastbound on Route 57 between Gulf Road and North Abbe when her Ford Explorer went off the right side of the road and rolling over before coming to rest on its roof in a ditch. Elyria Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics were able to extricate both without having to use the Jaws of Life.

Both victims were transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

The Elyria Police Department is investigating the crash.

To see more photos from the crash scene: CLICK HERE

MAN CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING

AFTER HOLDING GUN TO WIFE’S HEAD IN AMHERST

Amherst – Amherst Police have charged 50 year old Robert Gonzalez of Lorain with 2 counts of Kidnapping after he was found holding a gun to his wife’s head late Wednesday night in downtown Amherst.

An Amherst Police Officer was flagged down by a citizen alerting him that a man had a gun and directed them to where he and the female victim (later identified as his wife Nawassa Gonzalez (age 32) were located.

The officer took a position in the street and advised other officers of the situation. At that time, there was another Amherst police officer that was on foot approximately one block south of the disturbance. At the same time, Police Dispatchers received two 911 calls, indicating there was a male with a gun who was holding a female hostage.

Several other officers responded to the area – The first officers on scene located the suspect and a female victim, who both fell back into an alcove of a downtown business. The first officer radioed to other officers that the suspect did in fact have a weapon pointed to the head of the female.

The male citizen, after advising the first officer of the situation, went up to the suspect in an apparent attempt to get the gun from him. The male citizen was standing partially in the alcove and over the suspect Gonzalez and female victim. The Amherst police officer who was approaching on foot was giving verbal commands to the male citizen to show his hands. While the officer was giving commands to the male citizen, at some point the male citizen was able to get the gun away from the suspect Gonzalez.

For an unknown reason, the male citizen, now with gun in hand, then turned and ran in the direction of the police officer who was approaching on foot. That officer, seeing the male running toward him with a gun pointing in his direction and fearing for his safety, fired one shot from his duty weapon but did not strike the male citizen. The male immediately dropped to the ground and was later taken into custody without further incident. Gonzalez was also taken into custody.

A loaded 9mm handgun was recovered from the scene.

At this time, it appears that the male citizen did not know Gonzalez or his wife. There were no injuries reported in this incident. Several witnesses were identified and interviews were conducted.

Gonzalez and the male citizen were transported to the Amherst Police Department. Gonzalez was formally charged with 2-Counts of Kidnapping (F-1), 1-count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon (F-4), 1-count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon in a Liquor Establishment (F-3), 3-counts of Aggravated Menacing (M-1) 1-count of Domestic Violence (M-1), 1-count of Criminal Damaging (M-2), and is being held in the Lorain County Jail without bond. Additional charges are pending.

The male citizen was arrested on an outstanding warrant from another police agency and charges may be pending from the Amherst Police Department.

The area was processed by the detective bureau and remains under investigation.

WOMAN INJURED IN CRASH

ON THE DAY OF HER 62nd BIRTHDAY

Eaton Township – A crash Tuesday afternoon in Eaton Township sent one woman to the hospital with non-critical injuries – NOT the way she wanted to spend her 62nd birthday.

Trooper Jeff Kaess of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that the two car crash occurred when Felix Garcia backed out of a private driveway on North Island Road and into the path of Timothy Moore and his mother. “Moore was traveling southbound on Island when Garcia backed his Ford Ranger out of the driveway causing Moore to strike him. As a result of the crash Moore’s car received damage to the right side of his car, trapping the passenger inside.”

Eaton Township Firefighters had to cut 62 year old Margaret Houser out of the passenger side of Moore’s car. Chief Phil Slack said that she was transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital with non-critical injures to be further evaluated.

Trooper Kaess said that Garcia has been cited with failure to yield from a private drive.

TMC NEWS would like to wish Ms. Houser a very Happy Birthday!

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

LORAIN CITY SCHOOLS IN $$ TROUBLE

Lorain - Auditor of State Mary Taylor today released the fiscal year 2007 audit for Lorain City School District. The audit reports that many of the district funds are operating with a cash deficit totaling more than $2.4 million.

“School districts must keep a watchful eye on their fund balances because every dollar counts when it comes to educating our children,” said Taylor. “It’s important that schools operate in a financially stable manner to ensure resources are available to continue to provide a quality education for their students.”

The audit shows that the following funds are operating with cash deficits totaling $2,421,942.
Alternative Education, $12,079
District Managed Act, $319,543
General fund, $968,657
JROTC, $226,219
Lunchroom, $102,810
MIS, $26,050
Misc. Federal Grants, $697,495
Misc. State Grants, $67,669
Title IV, $1,420

Additionally, the district did not set aside funds to pay for utilities, excess costs and legal fees that accumulated in fiscal year 2007. Due to this oversight, the funds will not be paid until fiscal year 2008.

The audit shows that the school district’s accounts payable did not list $721,713 in funds owed. It also notes that funds received by other government agencies were overstated by $726,800. However, the appropriate adjustments were made during the course of the audit and their financial statements now reflect the accurate amount.

Lorain City School District was placed in fiscal caution on June 23, 2007 because of potential fund balance deficits.

To read the Audit in full (pdf): CLICK HERE

ENDEAVOUR LIFTS OFF

Photo courtesy: NASA

2:28 a.m. EDT – Brilliantly lighting up the dark sky, space shuttle Endeavour roared off the launch pad carrying the STS-123 crew, a module of Japan's Kibo laboratory and a Canadian robotic system to begin the 25th mission to the International Space Station.

About the Mission
NASA astronaut Dominic Gorie commands a crew of six, including Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Rick Linnehan, Robert L. Behnken, Mike Foreman, Garrett Reisman and Japanese astronaut Takao Doi. Johnson, Behnken and Foreman will be making their first spaceflight.

During the 16-day mission, the crew's two prime objectives are to deliver and attach to the International Space Station the first component of Japan's new laboratory called Kibo, as well as Canada's new robotics system, the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, or Dextre. STS-123 is the 25th shuttle mission to the International Space Station.

Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Leopold Eyharts, who arrived at the station aboard Atlantis in February, will return to Earth with the Endeavour crew as Reisman takes his place on the station.

FIREFIGHTERS PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Columbia Township – The Columbia Township Fireman's Association's Annual Pancake Breakfast will take place on Palm Sunday, March 16th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at their fire station located at 25540 Royalton Road.

This is “all you can eat” Pancakes, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Coffee, Juice, Tea and Milk. Remember what Jason said about “all you can eat” deals – it's an offer, not a challenge.

The cost is $6.00 for Adults, $4.00 for seniors and Children. Children under 2 are free. Carryout available.

Weather permitting there will be special appearances from University MedEvac and Metro LifeFlight Helicopters. The Red Cross Bloodmobile present and anyone donating blood eats for free. Can’t beat that deal.

READER WINTER PHOTOS

Send us your winter photos @ tmcnews1@aol.com

To see more Winter Photos: CLICK HERE

SPAGHETTI DINNER RESCHEDULED

Eaton Township Fire Department has announced that the Spaghetti Dinner that was canceled this weekend due to the snowstorm will be held next Saturday, March 15th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.

“Ummmmmm, Spaghetti!”

TWO THINGS TO REMEMBER

Don’t forget to not only change your clock by moving it ahead one hour, but remember to change the battery in your smoke detectors.

HITTIN THE STREETS

AND CLEARING THEM OFF

Elyria – Since Friday afternoon plows have been running non-stop in Elyria and the crews, although exhausted, are still out there hittin the streets and clearing them off.

Mark Sabo of the Elyria Street Department said that his crews have been working around the clock and he sees the light at the end of the tunnel. “Friday we started working 24 hour shifts, after working 24 they will go home for 8 hours then come back for another 24. We are exhausted both physically and staff wise but we will not stop until the job is done and by the looks of the radar and the forecast of warmer weather coming up, it shouldn’t be too much longer.”

Sabo said that during situations like this weekend where a big storm hits the area they pull employees from other departments to assist them in clearing the roadways.

Sabo said that all main roads should be completed by Sunday morning then all trucks will focus on the side streets. “Right now the side streets are being hit by the smaller trucks but there are some streets with snow from the last hit we took and that snow is frozen and making it harder for the smaller trucks to clear those roads. Once all of the main roads are done then the bigger trucks will start hitting the side streets.” Sabo said that although the city of Elyria did not have a parking ban he wished people had moved their cars off the road. “There are some streets down on the south end of town like 7th Street where the houses were built with no driveways, but then you go down a lot of streets where you see the cars parked on the road and the driveways are empty. Now we will get calls from people asking why we plowed their cars in along the street.”

With rumors of the sun making a special appearance Sunday Sabo said they would probably drop salt on the roadways. “We have about 300 ton or so left in there, tomorrow we will salt the intersections, hills and curves and the sun will help it activate.”

Crews had an easier time clearing the roadways Saturday in part because of so many businesses closing. “On Friday our plows were stuck in traffic so it went real slow but today when you have the mall and other places close up, nobody is out on the roads and we can just go strong.”

HELPING THE HELPERS

Elyria – While most people on Saturday were shoveling, sledding, plowing or just sitting at home by a warm fire, there were a small group of highly dedicated good Samaritans out braving the blizzard conditions – helping the helpers.

Deep in the basement of the Lorain County Emergency Management Office on Gateway Blvd. in Elyria, a group of Jeep enthusiasts came together for one goal – Pick up Nurses and Doctors from their homes and get them to work at area hospitals.

Tom Kelley, Director of the Lorain County Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security, said that this is the fourth year that their agency has offered the service to local hospitals. “This is a unique program that we have been offering and its something that started four years ago when a hospital called me during a winter storm and said I need to get nurses into the ER but they are stuck at home.”

Kelley drafted the services of a friend who owns “On & Offroad 4 Wheel Drive” in Oberlin who then drafted the services of friends and customers with Jeeps and other 4 wheel-drive vehicles.

Here’s how it works –
A hospital supervisor contacts the EMA office and gives them the names and addresses of essential staff members that need a ride to work. Kelley and his staff coordinate the drivers and dispatch them to pick people up. The teams of drivers go out twice – the first run goes at 10 AM and the second at 10PM.

Kelley said that they have tightened the policy for the special service by limiting it to essential staff only. “We were getting calls for housekeeping personnel to be picked up and we just can’t do that, I mean these people are coming in and volunteering their time and putting themselves and their vehicles at risk to drive across the county in blizzard conditions to provide a ride and with that we need to assure them that they are doing this for a good reason.”

Today went off without a hitch, well one small hitch did occur. One of the drivers, while attempting to pick up a nurse off of Fowl Road got his truck stuck in deep snow. Two other volunteers raced to rescue him but were unable to get him out of the drift. So when you are deep in a hole and you don’t know what to do, who do you call? VAUGHNS of course! TMC NEWS Gold Card member David Vaughn of Vaughn’s Towing and Auto Services was called and quickly responded to the scene. The driver of the stuck truck wanted to compliment Vaughn for his quick response and hard work getting his truck out of the snow. I guess you could say Vaughn was helping a helper who was trying to help a helper.

Kelley said that he will hit the roads early Sunday morning to see if travel is better, if not then they may offer the service to area hospitals again Sunday. “I have been out checking the streets around here (Elyria) and have been impressed at how well the city has been clearing the main streets. I don’t think there will be any problems in the morning, these guys can probably sleep in tomorrow.”

At last count, 6 drivers throughout the day transported 30 people. KUDOS to Kelley, his staff and all of the volunteers who braved the blizzard to lend a hand. I’m sure if you were to ask them why they do it they would say, “It’s a Jeep thing.”

WINTER STORM PHOTOS

Elyria Firefighters responding Saturday morning to an emergency in Engine 3 during blizzard conditions near Midway Mall.

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

One of MANY Plows out working to clear roadways Saturday.

Submit your WINTER STORM PHOTOS to tmcnews1@aol.com -We’ll chose the best photo later this week – The winner will receive a FREE MASTER PIZZA CLASSIC.

STORM STOPS SHOPPERS

The storm that has been dumping snow across the area all day has caused many area businesses, including the Elyria Midway Mall, to close up and go home. If you didn’t think the news could get worse, Fazolli’s was closed too.

Police Departments around the area have asked that people stay off the roads, except for emergencies, until the storm passes.

.

http://www.discountemssupplies.com/

Advertisement

SHE’S STILL BLOWIN AROUND

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has lifted the Blizzard Watch for our area, however the WINTER STORM WARNING has been extended through midnight tonight.

The winds, at times today will hit 30 MPH creating blizzard like conditions and an additional 6 to 10 inches of snow is possible.

CLOSINGS AND CANCELATIONS
Amherst Public Library
Avon Public Library
Avon Local Schools
All Elyria Schools weekend activities, including GATE Fair and the EHS Choir Competition, are canceled.
Elyria Community School
Elyria Public Library
Keystone Elementary
Little Gym of Avon
Lorain County E-Check Systems
Lorain County Community College

The Spaghetti Dinner at the Eaton Township Fire Department has been postponded due to the weather. The event will be rescheduled soon – We will keep you posted.

The Sheffield Township Fire Department Blazettes Benefit Pancake Breakfast has been rescheduled for next Sunday March 16th same time same place.

THE NEXT 24
Today: Periods of snow with widespread blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 24. Blustery, with a north wind around 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow likely with widespread blowing snow, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 14. West wind between 14 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Sunday: A slight chance of snow after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. West wind between 8 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

WAS HIS STORY A BIG FAT LIE?

Lorain – Moments after a car crashed onto the front porch of a Clifton Ave home in Lorain, killing one man and sending another by helicopter to Cleveland, 32 year old Benjamin Bellisario of Eaton Township told the cops and the media of a horrific ordeal that he had gone through that night.

Bellisario claimed to have been kidnapped at knife point and made to drive around the city of Lorain while his passenger made multiple drug deals. Bellisario said that after time had passed he feared for his life and when the passenger tried to get out of the truck with his wallet he grabbed for it and was cut with the knife.

After an extensive investigation by the Lorain Police Department they now say Bellisario lied and the case against him is on the way to the Grand Jury. Bellisario could face charges of obstructing, falsification and inducing panic. Since the incident Bellisario has admitted to Officers that the injury he sustained was and accidental injury.


Listen to the story Bellisario gave to TMC NEWS the night of the crash by clicking play on the video.